Any problems on sticking with Firefox 2?

So I was just wondering if there would be any big issues on staying with Firefox 2 instead of moving on with 3? I haven't enjoyed my time with FF 3 because it feels like its using more resources and overall running slower when browsing, than FF 2 on my pc.

This is all my own personal experience of course, so other than not having any current security updates, is there anything else I should be concerned with before moving back?

Any feedback would be appreciated. And yes I am behind an ant-virus prog.

Thanks

 

To be honest I can not agree with you, I haven't noticed any slowdown between FF2 and FF3 but I'll agree systems vary.

This is the most important reason for updating, don't neglect that.

Which is far from infallible and quite likely unable to catch browser vulnerabilities.

My advice, unless you have strong reasons not to upgrade then stay with FF3.

Edit: For clarification, Italic added [color= "DarkRed"]DarkRed[/color] removed

 

Yeah, I'm not debating that FF3 doesn't work like its supposed to on other people's systems, it's probably just mine. And I guess that having an anti-virus and anti-spyware programs doesn't help with those vulnerbilities either.

Currently I'm trying out Opera 9.64 atm(don't mean to get off subject), but still like the experience that Firefox gives me over it (save for my alleged slowness). That and I still can't stand that IE8 doesn't save my user name and passwords properly for some webpages. Back to good ol' Firefox.

Thanks wildfire for the quick response!

Anyone else care to chime in on this?

 

Why don't you try the new Google browser and report back to us how you like it. And while you are at it, please try IE8 and let us know what you think of that too

 

I am (unfortunately) still on a dial-up line and a horribly slow one (at best 26.4 kbs) at that. I have no other choice where I live.

I find FF 3 to be considerably slower than FF 2 as FF 3 seems to go asleep whenever I go to a new page and sometimes after it has started downloading the page.

If I click on the taskbar at the bottom it will wake up and start downloading the page. However, if do not click on the taskbar it will eventually wake up after about 30 or so seconds.

 

As I said before, I have IE8 installed and for the most part its alright, except for how it handles remembering usernames and passwords for particular websites. Like email clients, ebay, and amazon just to name a few. It seems I always have to type in my password even after I TOLD IE8 to remember it. Just odd. But its been doing this since IE6, so I guess its just the "norm ".

I've heard great things about the latest release of Google Chrome 2, so I might check that out as well. I am curious as to why it doesn't include different search providers off to the right of the address bar, ala IE8 or Firefox. Unless I'm mistaken?

 

Thanks for the feedback Doug,

It's late here in the UK (and I can't be bothered to dig out a modem cable right now) but I'm happy to try dial-up (V90) and give a comparision result to Devil Z tomorrow. For what it's worth I'm on 10Mb/s (before 2Mb/s), perhaps connection speed is an issue (other than the obvious). Devil what is your connection?

 

wildfire,

I'm currently with Mediacom Cable. 8Mb/s download, 512Kb/s upload. (our uploads blow)

I can't believe dial-up still exists in this day and age!? (no offense to anyone)

 

Similar to mine then so connection (speed) isn't the issue.

Don't knock it, I've a handheld PC here that's saved my skin on more than one occassion and that connects via dialup

 

Good to hear. I think its my system more than anything else for what's causing the perceived slower performance between FF2 and 3. My system is an oldie, being bought way back in 2002. To be honest, I actually have FF3 uninstalled in favor of IE8 and Opera to test them out first. Which is why I was thinking about giving Firefox another go by installing the last revision of FF2 (2.0.0.20) to see if I would have better results.

Wow, just wow.

 

Give it a go and let us know how you get on. How much memory do you have in that system (currently FF3 is using 67Mb here), perhaps that's the issue (I should point out I haven't compared memory usage of other browsers)?

Sorry, but when you're used to 400KB/S+ downloads and you're hit with 4.5KB/S at best it's not so cool

BTW the handheld is an HP Jornada 690 if you are interested but to be honest it's only used now to transfer data to sick PC's when a mobile (cell) internet connection is unavailable. It did serve me well in the past though so I've became quite attached to it.

 

I am using Google Chrome, right now. It appears to be faster than any Firefox, or IE8. I have, still, to get used to it.
I don't use IE8, unless forced by some stupid websites, but I can avoid that.
Since there is no problem with any Firefox, other than lengthy initial loading times, it is my default. I am checking everything, and found no reason to stick with Firefox2.x.
And, I know that Firefox takes long time to get going, because of the several add-ons, and tabs. It is my choice.

 

Sorry for the belated post....

I currently have 768MB PC2700 of memory installed, with 32MB dedicated to graphics(yay?)

Anyways, after using FF2 for the last few days trying out different websites and things, I have to admit that its not as fast as I remembered. Especially when watching streaming videos at Gamespot. I can't believe that IE8 is faster! I know about the initial startup times, but FF2 seems a little sluggish overall. I guess you guys are going to tell me to try out FF3 again, huh?

Hey Westside, since you're using Chrome, does it happen to have a Search Bar that houses different search engines, exactly like the one used for FF? (The bar that's directly to the right of the address bar, but you probably already knew that, so sorry )

 

To summarize. There is a slight security risk in using Firefox2.x, as it has not been updated since the end of the year. It, probably, will be ok, for general use.
As for Google Chrome, it does not have a Search Bar. I have to use the Address (or URL)bar. I find that a bit annoying, as well as the lack of the top toolbar (no File, Edit, View, etc.). You navigate using the "wrench" icon dropdown, but not everything is available. Goofle Chrome seems to be designed to allow maximum space.

 

Yeah, thats what I was afraid of for Chrome. Does that "wrench" icon have other search engines to use (like ebay, wiki, youtube etc.), or did they just provide their own Google search engine to use within the address bar? Sorry for all the Q's.

What I would like to also know though, is how I can get the pages to scroll down or up in FF -as fast as IE8 when I'm using the scroll wheel on my mouse. It's a little too slow and is one of my few knocks against FF. Even Opera scrolls almost as fast as IE8. So is there an add-on or something else I can install to FF that will allow me to do that by chance?

BTW, Thanks for all the help guys!

 

Just noticed also that everytime I post a Quick Reply in forums (especially this one) using FF, I get a long-loading blank page and an ad, RIGHT after I post. Thoughts?

 

Never saw anything like that. Ad from whom?

 

@Westside

I've noticed similar, my router blocks many ad servers so I can't say which one causes the problem but when I use the mvps hosts file the problem disapears

 

I did quick google on this. Do I just download the zip file, extract, and install the file within?

 

More or less, there's a readme in the zip that explains all